BILLS CB RONALD DARBY NAMED NFL DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE MONTH
BILLS CB RONALD DARBY NAMED NFL DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE MONTH
The NFL announced today that Buffalo Bills cornerback Ronald Darby has been named the NFL defensive rookie of the month for September.
Darby earning the honors marks the third consecutive year a Bills rookie has been named rookie of the month. WR Sammy Watkins won the offensive rookie of the month award in October 2014 and LB Kiko Alonso was the defensive rookie of the month in September 2013.
DEFENSE: CB RONALD DARBY, BUFFALO BILLS
· Darby, a second-round selection (No. 50) out of Florida State, tied for the NFL lead with two interceptions and led all players with eight passes defensed. He also posted 15 tackles.
· Buffalo posted a 2-0 record in the games in which Darby intercepted a pass, including a 27-14 win against Indianapolis on Kickoff Weekend and a 41-14 win at Miami in Week 3.
· His first interception came in the first quarter of his NFL debut against the Colts and preceded the Bills’ first score of the year – a 51-yard TD pass from quarterback Tyrod Taylor to wide receiver Percy Harvin.
· Darby’s second pick against the Dolphins also helped set up a 51-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter in the second quarter.
· Darby, who started all three games this month, is the first Bills rookie with at least two interceptions in a season since Jairus Byrd (nine) and Cary Harris (two) accomplished the feat in 2009.
· The Bills’ defense forced eight turnovers this month, and Buffalo is tied for second in the NFL with a +5 turnover differential.
· Darby is the second Bills cornerback to be named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month (Leodis McKelvin, November 2008).
· This marks the third consecutive year a Bills player was recognized as an NFL Rookie of the Month Award winner. Wide receiver Sammy Watkins was last season’s NFL Rookie of the Month for October and Kiko Alonso was the NFL Rookie of the Month in September 2013.
